Murray’s constant improvement and Djokovic’s stranglehold over proceedings at Melbourne Park in the last few years will all force Federer to be wary coming in this year. Big hitters who find their form – such as del Potro, Berdych and Tsonga – also have the weapons and power to trouble the Swiss.

Doesn't seem to have done him much good - judging by today's result. It's time he retired. Perhaps he could have a long break and come back to get his singles Gold at Rio. Ho, ho, ho. The arrogant one is getting his comeuppance. It might just make him a better person. It will give him some idea of how his opponents have felt over the years...!!!

Does anyone know whether smugfed had signed up for these clay tournaments before he went out early at Wimbledon? Feels like he's trying to do a Ferrer and make up points at small tournaments, which goes completely against his previous strategy. Good to read that he lost today and didn't get that many points anyway.

Does anyone know whether smugfed had signed up for these clay tournaments before he went out early at Wimbledon? Feels like he's trying to do a Ferrer and make up points at small tournaments, which goes completely against his previous strategy. Good to read that he lost today and didn't get that many points anyway.

I think what is happening, and will happen more in the future is that he is losing his mystic. The journeymen players are realising that the omnipotent Federer is beatable, and after years of unpleasant arrogance they are going to give it all they have got. He has lost one of his major weapons, ie the aura of invincibility. Hasn't he dropped sets in all if his matches in this tournament? Brands and the guy yesterday should have beaten him. It's a delight to see because be has become so odious.

Does anyone know whether smugfed had signed up for these clay tournaments before he went out early at Wimbledon? Feels like he's trying to do a Ferrer and make up points at small tournaments, which goes completely against his previous strategy. Good to read that he lost today and didn't get that many points anyway.

I think part of the reason he's playing these smaller events is to make up for the Olympics points he'll lose on 5 August (450 points). Gives him a chance to test the new racquet too.

Surprised he lost today, though Montreal/Cincy will be the real test of his form. I think alarm bells will be ringing for him if his form hasn't recovered by then.

Does anyone know whether smugfed had signed up for these clay tournaments before he went out early at Wimbledon? Feels like he's trying to do a Ferrer and make up points at small tournaments, which goes completely against his previous strategy. Good to read that he lost today and didn't get that many points anyway.

He's also signed up for the Swiss Open in Gstaad next week. I think the idea was to test out his new racquet - and maybe boost his confidence ahead of Montreal?

He was struggling with his back problem though when he played Mayer and wore a short-sleeved vest on top of his shirt because of the cold evening conditions. According to reports his movement was sluggish in the 2nd and 3rd set and during the 3rd he was noticeably limping at times, so he probably didn't have sufficient time to recover before today's match.